The best fire starters in 2024, tried and tested | CNN Underscored (2024)

A box of matches or a pocket lighter are foolproof options for starting a fire. But what happens when your lighter runs out of fuel or your box of matches gets wet? Having an old fashioned fire starter on hand is not only a smart move but a safe move. Fire starters are relatively inexpensive and a great safeguard to have inside your hiking backpack or with your backpacking gear. No doubt you’ll also impress your family and friends: It’s quite a sight to see a fire ignite with only the spark of a ferro rod or flare from a magnesium fire starter. Plus, they’re also a smart addition to include in your emergency preparedness kit, along with an emergency radio and a first aid kit.

With a bit of practice and the confidence that the fire starter you’re investing in will do the job it promises, you’ll be able to light a fire in a flash. Rain, shine, wind or snow, a solid fire starter will help you kindle a campfire in any condition. To find the best, we made over 600 strikes in various conditions while testing 13 fire starters. Here are our picks for the top three fire starters that make starting a campfire the “old school way” a breeze.

UST BlastMatch Fire Starter

Best fire starter overall

With the UST BlastMatch, you can light a flame with one hand. Its unique design generates intensely hot sparks with minimal effort, making it one of the easiest and most reliable fire starters we used.

$25 From $18 at Amazon

Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter

Runner-up

This Bear Grylls-approved fire starter is compact, has a watertight case and is a top pick for car campers and rugged adventurers alike. It exceeded our expectations — sending sparks flying from the ferro rod and igniting the tinder in an average of three strikes or less.

$19 at Amazon

Exotac NanoStriker XL Fire Starter

Best lightweight fire starter

The ultralight Exotac NanoStriker XL throws a big spark for its compact size. It’s a top pick for minimalist campers or backcountry goers, as it weighs less than 1 ounce. A lightweight, collapsible aluminum case protects the fire starter’s ferrocerium rod and striker inside.

$33 at Amazon

Best fire starter overall: UST BlastMatch

$25 From $18 at Amazon

Arguably the most intuitive fire starter of the bunch, this flint-based firestarter makes intense sparks with minimal effort. Unlike many of the other fire starters we tested, you only need one hand to use the UST BlastMatch. In fact, the UST BlastMatch is so easy to use that even a kindergartener can make sparks with it. I also brought this fire starter to a group campout and my friend bought it within 5 minutes of trying it out because he loved it so much.

Compared to our runner-up the Gerber Bear Grylls, which requires you to learn how to create sparks with a traditional strike, the UST BlastMatch uses an entirely different method. To use the UST BlastMatch, simply put the tip of the fire starter against the ground on top of your tinder, use your thumb to press the striker against the flint rod, and use pressure against the ground and your fire starter to push down. The result: A mass of sparks that will light your tinder in an average of four strikes or less.

Thanks to its design, the UST BlastMatch performed incredibly in our wind test, even beating out the Gerber Bear Grylls by a small margin. All the other fire starters struggled in this test, but it only took an average of two strikes in the wind to get the BlastMatch to light the lint. In fact, it almost felt like the wind helped the sparks catch with how many and how close the sparks were to the lint using the BlastMatch.

The BlastMatch has a similar level of comfort to the Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter, however, with an entirely different grip. This could be a big selling point for campers who want a more intuitive fire starter option over one that may require strike after strike with two hands. The large, plastic casing around this fire starter not only creates a comfortable grip but also a protective seal around the rod and striker. This helps with water resistance if you’re using this fire starter in the rain and also locks shut when you’re carrying it in your pack so you don’t accidentally send sparks flying. The bulkiness of this fire starter could be an issue if you’re trying to save on space. However, the comfort and durability of the case outweigh the bulk, in my opinion.

The biggest downfall with this fire starter is if you get the flint rod and striker wet, forget about making a fire (at least for a while). After dunking the entire fire starter in the water while the case was off, I was unable to get the fire starter to work again until it was completely dry, which took about five minutes. You could also use a dry cloth to dry off the rod and striker, however, in a complete downpour in the backcountry, this could prove to be difficult.

Runner-up: Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter

$14 at Amazon

With the more traditional combination of a ferrocerium rod and metal striker, the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter sent sparks flying off the tip of the rod nearly every time I struck it. While the UST BlastMatch is our top pick thanks to its intuitive design, the Bear Grylls Fire Starter actually performed slightly better in the dry test, averaging only three strikes to light the lint compared to the BlastMatch’s four. So while we still think the UST BlastMatch is the best fire starter overall, if you want a more traditional striker or want to light a fire even faster, the Gerber Bear Grylls is for you. The UST BlastMatch did edge out the Bear Grylls starter in windy conditions, mainly because of its ability to get so close to the lint and still create sparks.

The Gerber Bear Grylls’ wide and chunky handle made it much easier to hold than every other fire starter we tested. Even if you’re struggling to light a fire in the backcountry with this fire starter (which you won’t), your hands won’t be completely worn out and sore after the process. Both the striker and ferro rod ends of the fire starter have a wide plastic grip which not only helps with comfort but also gives you tons of extra leverage. Plus, the Bear Grylls striker has a slightly curved shape, which helped throw sparks in a more precise direction than the long, flat strikers on the other fire starters I tried.

Many fire starters won’t work if they’re wet, which is why keeping them dry is critical to their success. Like a handful of the other options we tested, the Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter has a protective case to prevent rain and snow from seeping in. Cases like this are a must if you’re adventuring in rainy or snowy weather where your fire starter is at risk of getting wet. I did find that when I dipped the ferro rod and striker into the water while open, this fire starter had a really hard time sparking. I needed to strike over twenty times, or dry off the rod and striker with my shirt to get it to work again. That said, this was a common flaw across all fire starters tested, including the UST BlastMatch.

After dozens and dozens of strikes, this fire starter saw nearly no wear and tear on the ferro rod. A few of the fire starters we tested started to wear down from the large number of strikes, but the Bear Grylls fire starter held up fantastically. According to the brand, the Bear Grylls Fire Starter has been rigorously tested and approved for up to 8,000 strikes over its lifetime, which is at the higher end of the fire starters we tested.

While not the most important factor, we also loved the additional accessories built into the Bear Grylls starter. It has an attached lanyard and a built-in plastic whistle that comes in handy for extra security so you won’t lose your fire starter (or potentially yourself) in the woods.

My biggest hangup with this fire starter is its size and weight. At 3.5 ounces and over 4 inches long when closed, it’s the biggest one I tried, basically, taking up the entire palm of my hand. While its size definitely makes it easier to grip and strike the rod, the outer plastic casing on this fire starter is bulky and chunky. If weight and space in your backpack aren’t an issue, then make this fire starter your pick. If you’re looking for a more sleek, slim and lightweight fire starter option, check out the Exotac NanoStriker XL.

Best lightweight fire starter: Exotac NanoStriker XL

$33 at Amazon

Backcountry hiking or off-grid adventuring? Opt for the Exotac NanoStriker XL to save on space without sacrificing your fire-making ability. At 0.9 ounces and about the size of a golf pencil, this collapsible ferro rod fire starter undoubtedly makes the biggest spark for its size. It packs an impressive amount of power behind its thumbtack-sized striker.

Made of high-quality aluminum, the Exotac NanoStriker XL is completely contained within the body of the fire starter. It unscrews, collapses and closes tight to protect the internal ferro rod and striker — all of which you can do in under a minute. If needed, you can also replace the ferro rod over time; Exotac promises at least 3,000 strikes from the rod that comes with the fire starter.

While this was the top-performing lightweight fire starter, it’s a bit tricky to use than most other starters we tested. You will need to practice quite a bit to use this fire starter comfortably and effectively. Unlike most other fire starters we tested, I found that less pressure and more precision generate the most amount of sparks. Once I got the hang of this fire starter, I was able to light my lint tinder in only one or two strikes from that point onward, but a steep learning curve and a particular way of striking make it harder to use than the other top picks.

While it is trickier to use in general, the NanoStriker XL actually performed better than our other two winners in our wet test. The rod on this fire starter was not as impacted by liquid on the rod as the other starters. The striker seemed to almost throw any residual water on the rod off as you struck. I was able to get this fire starter to light while wet after an average of 14 strikes whereas every other starter took upwards of 20 strikes, with the exception of the Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter which took only 10 strikes. While the Gerber Bear Grylls and BlastMatch slightly outperformed the NanoStriker XL in both windy and dry conditions, if you live in a really damp climate and you expect your fire starter will be wet on a regular basis, the NanoStriker XL should definitely be at the top of your list.

Campers will love the NanoStriker XL for its lightweight design and, for its size category, its ability to pack a punch when throwing sparks that light tinder quick. I love that you can easily fit this fire starter in your pocket, slip it into a pen holder in your daypack, or tuck it away without taking up any space in a backpacking bag. Yet, its small size doesn’t compromise its ability to make a fire too much. If you want a lightweight striker that can go on any adventure and will stand up to the rain better than any other we tested, the NanoStriker XL is for you. However, if size and weight aren’t an issue, you might be more happy with the ease of use of our other top picks.

Why do I need a fire starter?

Before you head into nature make sure to properly prepare. From bringing navigation tools like a compass and GPS device to extra food and water, it’s important to think through the gear you need — even if you might not end up using it. That’s exactly why fire starters are one of the Ten Essentials you should always carry with you both in the backcountry and on day hikes too.

You really don’t want to get caught in a dire situation outdoors without any way to start a fire. Traditional matches or a pocket sized lighter are great options for making quick and convenient campfires. However, there’s always the risk of running out of butane or potentially ending up with soaking wet matches if unexpected weather rolls through. Not to mention butane lighters also struggle to light above 10,000 feet of elevation. For those reasons, we recommend packing a fire starter in your hiking or backpacking bag to be safe. Be warned: Fire starters have a small learning curve (practice makes perfect) but they can be a game changing addition to your camping checklist.

Fire starters also have a notoriously long lifespan unlike their more traditional match and lighter counterparts. The average butane lighter typically lasts about one year or less and most matchboxes hold 50 matches or fewer. A reliable ferro rod fire starter can last up to 8,000 to 10,000 strikes and a common magnesium fire starter will last up to 3,000 strikes.

What to look for in a fire starter

There’s a fire starter for every kind of outdoor scenario. Are you a hiker who loves traveling deep into the woods? Consider a compact and lightweight fire starter that’s small but trustworthy enough for the backcountry. Are you a car camper who wants to impress your friends? Pick a big ferro rod that sends sparks flying. Want to purchase a fire starter for your emergency preparedness kit? Choose one that’s waterproof and comes with a protective case.

First, you’ll want to consider the type of material your fire starter is made from. Ferrocerium rods, also known as a ferro rod or firesteel, are a popular fire starter option for their ease of use and sparkler-like effect when struck. They are relatively affordable, long lasting and shower sparks from the tip of the rod when struck with a stainless steel surface like an included striker or the back of a knife blade. Magnesium fire starters are another option too but can require a bit more effort. Most magnesium fire starters require you to shave off small shavings of the magnesium block or rod. These shavings ignite quickly and burn super hot but it will take some extra work to get to that point. You can use standard flint and steel too. When struck with steel, a flint rock will create a spark but not as many as the more reliable firesteel or ferro rod.

Note: When using ferro rods or fire starters with magnesium rods, you’ll likely need to scrape the protective layer of paint off the strike zone before using. You can do this with the striker or the back of a knife blade.

Next, you’ll want to consider size and weight. If having a lightweight fire starter is important to you, look for brands that prioritize compact and sleek design. Lightweight fire starters are great options for backcountry trips or for carrying in a small waistpack during a day hike. While some fire starters weigh less than 1 ounce, others can weigh up to 3 ounces. Larger fire starters tend to be easier to use, come with extra features like a compass and whistle, and are less likely to drop out of or get lost in your pack.

Weather also plays a big factor. Most ferro rods and magnesium fire starters won’t work while wet until you dry them off. That’s why you should purchase a fire starter that comes with a protective case if you plan to adventure where rainy weather can come when you least expect it. If you plan to hike and camp in wet climates, look to purchase waterproof or water resistant fire rods to make sure you have the highest chance of igniting a spark if there’s bad weather. Wind can also present a challenge in lighting a fire starter. Ferro rods that are at least 1 inch or longer allow you to throw a more precise spark. Ferrocerium also ignites the largest and widest sparks compared to flint and magnesium fire starters.

Price point can play a role in your choice too — especially if you’re on a budget. Most fire starters we tested are under $20 but some range to $30 and even $50 depending on the model. Larger fire starters that include features like a stainless steel knife or an extremely compact design tend to skew more expensive. That said, you can still find a fire starter for less than 20 bucks that’s just as reliable as the more pricey options.

What to light

What you’re lighting with a fire starter will play a huge factor in your success. Sparks need a really flammable object like dry wood shavings, a cotton ball, lint or dry grass to catch and create a flame. Items you can find in the wild like birch bark, dried leaves or pine needles, or fatwood (wood the heart of a pine tree that’s covered in sap), are some of the most ideal natural tinder. Using wet tinder? Forget about making a fire.

And while you could use tinder found in nature, it can also a good idea to pack some dryer lint or cotton balls as a backup. Many fire starters we tested, like the Exotac NanoStriker XL and the Exotac fireROD have small compartments where you can store tinder brought from home. Char cloth is another type of material you can make and bring to the woods for easy lighting. Even a small spark will light char cloth and it can come especially in handy on wet days in the backwoods. Typically made of natural fibers and fabric, like linen and cotton, you can make char cloth ahead of time. This helpful YouTube video by TA Outdoors teaches you how.

How we tested

Pitting 13 fire starters head to head, we put each product through a range of tests to evaluate their ease of use, performance in varying conditions and overall comfort and durability. Specifically, we struck each fire starter in three different testing environments — dry, wet and windy conditions — and over three consecutive rounds for each condition. To give you a sense of the scope of our testing, we struck the 13 fire starters over 600 times throughout this entire testing process.

Each round, we counted the number of strikes it took to successfully light a 1-inch x 1-inch ball of dryer lint. To qualify as a successful light, the ball of lint had to ignite into a full flame without the help of fanning or blowing on the sparks. We also calculated the average number of strikes in each testing condition after the completion of the three rounds. Finally, we also factored in non-standardized considerations as they relate to the function of each fire starter, including comfort, extra features, fire rod material and more.

Performance

Function

Other fire starters we tested

Wolf and Grizzly Fire Set

See Also

Alternatives to kindling: How to light a fire in a pinch - Logwise Firewood

The Wolf and Grizzly Fire Set was one of the simplest fire starters of the bunch tested. Its biggest downfall is that it took about double the amount of strikes on average than our top recommended fire starters. I also found this fire starter to be a bit uncomfortable to hold since the striker has a curved edge that can start to irritate your hand strike after strike. The brand also promises it will last over 20,000 strikes — the most of any fire stater we tested.

$28 $23 at Amazon

Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter

I’m a fan of the Survival Spark Magnesium Fire Starter for the high volume of sparks that come flying off of this fire starter. For some fire starter newbies, this might not be the best fire starter to choose since it sends more of a shower of sparks than a direct and forceful few sparks (which tend to light tinder more efficiently). You can use the serrated edge of the striker to shave off bits of magnesium to add to your pile of tinder, that said, this fire starter wore down the quickest out of any other fire starters. After a dozen strikes, you can see visible ripples and wear and tear in the magnesium rod. So while it creates a pretty shower of sparks, its short lifespan took it out of the running.

$10 at Amazon

Gerber Ultimate Survival Fixed Blade Knife

This rugged and burly 11.2-ounce fixed blade comes with a built-in fire housed in the knife’s sheath. The 4.75 inch blade is massive compared to the less than 1-inch ferrocerium rod. You can certainly use this knife and ferro rod combo to light a fire in dire situations, however, I didn’t love using this fire starter because the ferro rod is so small and the blade is so big. I wouldn't recommend this fire starter to the everyday outdoorsperson. This knife worked exceptionally well lighting the Exotac fireROD, which you need the black of a blade for since it does not come with its own striker.

$53 at REI

Light My Fire Firesteel Scout

Made in Sweden, the Light My Fire Firesteel Scout is a super compact fire starter option for backpackers, bikepackers and day hikers. If you’re concerned about extra weight in your pack, this could be a cheaper alternative to the NanoStriker XL. With such a small handhold on the striker and a 1-inch magnesium rod, I found it hard to get a good enough grip to create sparks. It took me at least a handful of strikes to get a solid grip and enough friction on the rod. If you’re someone who intentionally searches for environmentally conscious products for your gear list, we did love that Light My Fire made this fire starter out of 96% bio-based plastic, however, the NanoStriker XL outperformed it in nearly all of our tests.

$14 at Amazon

Überleben Zünden Fire Starter

Like Survival Spark and Wolf and Grizzly, this German-made fire starter is simple and affordable. At less just $16, it’s a great choice for someone who wants a backup fire starter in their pack but might not be a go-to every time you make a fire. That said, this fire starter performed in just the middle of the pack in dry and windy conditions so it falls behind my top picks. This rod did do better than most in the waterproof test, coming in first place, but that wasn’t enough to land it at the top of our list. You want a fire starter that performs quickly, and on average, this fire starter took more time to ignite the tinder than the others to light. I do like that this fire starter comes with a 6-function multi-tool that you can use as a straight-edge striker, tinder scraper, map scale, ruler, hex wrench and even a bottle opener.

From $16 at Amazon

UST StrikeForce Fire Starter

The UST StrikeForce has a similar design and feel to our top-rated Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter; It pulls apart to create half fire rod and half striker and conveniently closes to keep the tool watertight and protected in your pack or gearbox. That said, it was less comfortable to hold than the Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter, took a few more strikes, and was slightly heavier at 3.6 ounces. It only has a 1-inch flint rod and striker, which creates a higher learning curve for new fire starter users since there’s a smaller runway to make sparks. For these reasons, it did not land in the top three.

$17 at Amazon

Morakniv Companion Spark Fire Starter Knife

The Morakniv Companion Spark Fire was our favorite knife and fire starter combo tested. The4-inch long and 0.09-inch-thick stainless steel blade slid like butter over the magnesium alloy fire rod — sending off a bundle of sparks after a few strikes. At 4.5 ounces, this knife and fire starter combo was lighter than the more rugged Gerber Ultimate Survival Fixed Blade Knife (11.2 ounces). The blade compared to the rod is what makes this fire starter so hard to use. I would only recommend this fire starter as a backup for an emergency but buy this tool if you’re more interested in using it as a knife.

$40 From $27 at Amazon

Exotac FireRod

The FireRod is super similar to the Exotac NanoStriker XL, however, it does not come with its own striker. That’s why you’ll need your own knife to strike this fire starter. It comes in 2.1 and 3.4-inch ferro rod sizing, both of which are replaceable after months or years of use (depending on how many fires you make). The lanyard end of the FireRod unscrews and stores your tinder of choice. Exotac also sells Quicklight high-performance waterproof tinder that fits inside. You can also use small pieces of cotton balls, paper or lint too. The FireRod is very intuitive to use: Simply strike the back of a knife blade against the ferro rod to send sparks off the tip.

$33 at Amazon

UST Sparkie Fire Starter

Similar in functionality to the UST BlastMatch, the UST Sparkie takes just one hand to operate. Its spring-loaded flint bar claims to light sparks with minimal effort by pushing the starter against the ground to create sparks. I had an extremely hard time getting this fire starter to light tinder after over a dozen strikes. I also found the spring would get jammed inside the fire starter. Because of its unreliable performance, I wouldn’t recommend this starter. UST says this product will only last for 100 strikes, which is significantly less than all of the other fire starters we tested.

From $10 at Amazon

Coghlan's Waterproof Flint Striker

This is as basic as fire starters get. Coghlan’s Waterproof Flint Starter is a basic fire starter that won’t break the bank. We were successfully able to light a fire in under 20 strikes in both dry and windy conditions but found this fire starter to be the hardest to use. However, when wet, it did not live up to its waterproof promise. You can make a fire with this starter but expect to strike at least a dozen times or more to get the starter to light the tinder. All to say, this fire starter makes a great choice if you want to have a backup fire tool with you in case of an emergency.

$8 $7 at Amazon